Abstract:
A labour or trade union is defined as an everlasting partnership created by workers or
salary earners for the aim of preserving or ameliorating their working conditions. The
Standard Economic and the Industrial Democracy theories were used to form the
theoretical framework of the study. The main objective of this study is to investigate
the role trade unions play in improving employee-performance in Cameroon. As care
study, the teachers and drivers’ unions were used.
Methodology is an essential factor in any scientific research; in this regard, the
quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. Questionnaires as well as
structured interviews were also used. Categorical data was analysed as proportions
and frequencies and the relationship amongst categorical variables was evaluated
using Chi-Square test. Statistical significance was set at a p-value <0.05 and
Confidence interval of 95%. Outcomes are summarised into tables and figures.
SPSS version 27 statistical software was used for statistical analysis.
The findings revealed by the study evidently show that trade unions play a vital role
in employee-performance in Cameroon. The result of this research discloses that, the
key reason teachers and drivers join trade unions in Cameroon is for the protection of
workers’ rights. The main strategies used by trade unions are organising, collective
bargaining, alliance, and action. It is also revealed that trade unions have as core
mandates, the promotion and protection of the rights and socio-economic interest of
their members. Furthermore, age group (p-value = 0.006), level of education (p-value
= 0.018) and rating of strength of trade union (0.001) were statistically significantly
associated with improved employee-performance.
Therefore, as a recommendation, trade unions can stay away from fights with
employers and make negotiations via their main strategy, which is collective
bargaining. Also, employers should provide upskilling and training opportunities to
their employees as this improves employee performance. Conclusively, Teachers and
Drivers’ Trade Unions in Cameroon should set as its top priority, the protection of
workers’ rights and promotion of their socio-economic interests.
